ChatGPT and the 5WH prompt

If you find yourself needing a way to generate a brief slide deck to get across your ideas, it's often easiest to do what your 4th grade English teacher recommended: Answer the 5WH questions.

Who, what, why, where, when, and how have long been the yardstick that completeness is measured by. With a simple prompt template, you can use ChatGPT, or other language models, to give you a structure to flesh out, including references for you to research further information.

Remember, this won't do all the work for you, but it's a great way to get started. I've applied the prompt template (in bold) to four different scenarios below using ChatGPT - play around with the prompt to make it fit your needs!

Who:?IT Leader

What: Managing teams

Where: Globally

When: 24x7

Why: To maintain availability of business critical systems

How:

Consider the context set in the first 5 items above. Answer the 6th item, How. Your advice should summarize the situation, list specific recommendations, cite references inline and sources at the end.

Situation: As an IT leader managing teams globally, you need to ensure the availability of business-critical systems 24x7.

Recommendations:

• Establish clear communication channels: As a leader, you need to ensure that there are clear communication channels in place for your team to escalate issues, share updates, and collaborate effectively across time zones. You can use tools such as Slack, Microsoft Teams, or Zoom to facilitate communication and collaboration.
• Define clear roles and responsibilities: It's important to define clear roles and responsibilities for each team member, especially when working across different time zones. This will help ensure that everyone understands what is expected of them and reduces the risk of confusion or duplication of effort.
• Implement a follow-the-sun support model: To ensure 24x7 availability, consider implementing a follow-the-sun support model, where teams in different regions take turns to provide support outside of regular working hours. This will help ensure that business-critical systems are always monitored and issues are addressed promptly.
• Invest in automation and monitoring tools: Investing in automation and monitoring tools can help reduce the workload on your teams and ensure that issues are detected and addressed quickly. For example, using tools such as Nagios, Prometheus, or Grafana can help monitor system performance and alert teams to potential issues before they become critical.
• Foster a culture of continuous learning: Encourage your teams to stay up-to-date with the latest technologies and industry trends by offering training opportunities, providing access to resources, and fostering a culture of continuous learning. This will help ensure that your teams have the skills and knowledge needed to support business-critical systems effectively.

References:

?"The Importance of Clear Communication in the Workplace" by Stephanie Krieg, Forbes, July 2021.

"Defining Roles and Responsibilities in IT Service Management" by ITIL Training Zone.

"Follow the Sun Support" by David Nyman, TechTarget, November 2020.

"10 Monitoring Tools That Every DevOps Needs to Know" by Joydip Kanjilal, InfoWorld, June 2021.

"How to Build a Culture of Continuous Learning in Your Organization" by Mike Walsh, Harvard Business Review, February 2021.

Sources:

?Slack: https://slack.com/

Microsoft Teams: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-teams/group-chat-software

Zoom: https://zoom.us/

Nagios: https://www.nagios.org/

Prometheus: https://prometheus.io/

Grafana: https://grafana.com/

Who:?Sales Executive

What: Closing major deals

Where: Regionally, U.S.

When: On a quarterly basis

Why: To reach quota and achieve bonuses

How:

Consider the context set in the first 5 items above. Answer the 6th item, How. Your advice should summarize the situation, list specific recommendations, cite references inline and sources at the end.

Situation: As a sales executive, you need to close major deals on a quarterly basis in the U.S. region to reach quota and achieve bonuses.

Recommendations:

• Develop a deep understanding of the customer: It's essential to develop a deep understanding of the customer's needs, pain points, and decision-making process. This will enable you to tailor your pitch and proposal to their specific requirements and increase your chances of closing the deal.
• Build a strong network of contacts: Building a strong network of contacts can help you identify potential customers, understand the competitive landscape, and leverage relationships to close deals. Attend industry conferences, join networking groups, and engage with thought leaders in your field to expand your network.
• Use data and analytics to inform your strategy: Use data and analytics to identify trends, patterns, and opportunities in your market. Analyze customer data to understand their buying behavior, preferences, and needs. Use this information to refine your sales strategy and improve your chances of closing major deals.
• Develop a compelling value proposition: Develop a clear and compelling value proposition that highlights the unique benefits of your product or service. This will help you differentiate yourself from competitors and convince potential customers to choose your solution over others.
• Leverage technology to streamline the sales process: Use technology to streamline your sales process, automate repetitive tasks, and improve your productivity. Tools such as Salesforce, HubSpot, and ZoomInfo can help you manage your pipeline, track customer interactions, and identify potential opportunities.

References:

?"Understanding Your Customers' Buying Behavior" by Susan Ward, The Balance Small Business.

"The Power of Networking for Sales Professionals" by Liz Heiman, SalesHacker.

"Data Analytics in Sales: How to Use Data to Optimize Your Sales Process" by Matthew J. Fiock, ZoomInfo.

"Developing a Value Proposition" by Harvard Business Review.

"Top Sales Tools You Need to Crush Your Quota" by Leslie Ye, HubSpot.

Sources:

?Salesforce: https://www.salesforce.com/

HubSpot: https://www.hubspot.com/

ZoomInfo: https://www.zoominfo.com/

Who:?Entry level office worker

What: Achieve goal of becoming a CEO

Where: Bank of America

When: Within 20 years

Why: To meet my career goal of leading a major corporation

How:

Consider the context set in the first 5 items above. Answer the 6th item, How. Your advice should summarize the situation, list specific recommendations, cite references inline and sources at the end.

Situation: As an entry-level office worker at Bank of America, you have a career goal of becoming a CEO within 20 years.

Recommendations:

• Develop a growth mindset: Adopt a growth mindset, which is the belief that you can learn and develop your abilities over time. This will help you overcome challenges and setbacks, and keep you motivated to achieve your goal.
• Set SMART goals: Set specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals to guide your career development. Break down your long-term goal of becoming a CEO into smaller, actionable steps that you can work towards on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis.
• Seek out mentors and sponsors: Seek out mentors and sponsors who can provide guidance, support, and advocacy for your career development. Mentors can offer advice and feedback on your skills and performance, while sponsors can help you access opportunities and make valuable connections.
• Invest in your education and skills: Invest in your education and skills by pursuing relevant certifications, attending training programs, and seeking out opportunities to develop your skills and knowledge. This will help you acquire the skills and experience needed to succeed in your https:/
• Build a strong network: Build a strong network of contacts both within and outside of your organization. Attend industry events, join professional organizations, and engage with thought leaders in your field to expand your network and gain valuable insights into industry trends and best practices.

References:

?"Developing a Growth Mindset" by Carol Dweck, Harvard Business Review.

"The Power of SMART Goals" by Lolly Daskal, Inc.

"Why You Need a Sponsor, Not Just a Mentor" by Sylvia Ann Hewlett, Harvard Business Review.

"Why Education and Skills Are Key to Career Success" by Heather Huhman, Entrepreneur.

"The Value of Networking for Your Career Development" by Molly Owens, Forbes.

Sources:

?Bank of America Careers: https://careers.bankofamerica.com/en-us

LinkedIn Learning: https://www.dhirubhai.net/learning/

Harvard Business Review: https://hbr.org/

Professional Association Resources: https://www.themuse.com/advice/the-best-professional-associations-for-every-kind-of-job

Who:?Amateur filmmaker

What: Sell a script to Netflix

Where: India

When: Within 2 years

Why: To get the opportunity to make a studio film

How:

Consider the context set in the first 5 items above. Answer the 6th item, How. Your advice should summarize the situation, list specific recommendations, cite references inline and sources at the end.

Situation: As an amateur filmmaker in India, you want to sell a script to Netflix within 2 years to get the opportunity to make a studio film.

Recommendations:

• Write a high-quality script: Focus on writing a compelling and well-written script that is relevant to Netflix's audience. Research the types of films and series that Netflix produces and tailor your script to their style and tone.
• Develop a pitch deck: Create a pitch deck that includes a summary of your script, your background as a filmmaker, and your vision for the project. This will help you communicate your ideas and showcase your talents to potential buyers.
• Attend film festivals and pitch events: Attend film festivals and pitch events to network with industry professionals and pitch your script to potential buyers. Look for events that focus on independent filmmakers or that have a track record of attracting buyers from major studios like Netflix.
• Utilize online resources: Use online resources like screenwriting forums, social media, and industry databases to find agents, producers, and buyers who may be interested in your script. You can also use online tools to create and distribute your pitch deck to a wider audience.
• Keep improving your craft: Keep improving your filmmaking skills by practicing, seeking feedback, and learning from industry experts. This will help you become a better filmmaker and increase your chances of success.

References:

?"10 Tips for Writing a Screenplay That Sells" by Script Reader Pro

"How to Create a Pitch Deck for Your Film" by FilmDaily

"The Ultimate Guide to Film Festivals for Filmmakers" by StudioBinder

"How to Find a Literary Agent for Your Screenplay" by Writer's Digest

"The Best Online Screenwriting Communities and Forums" by ScreenCraft

Sources:

Netflix Pitch Portal: https://pitchportal.netflix.com/

FilmFreeway: https://filmfreeway.com/

Stage32: https://www.stage32.com/

IMDbPro: https://www.imdbpro.com/

No Film School: https://nofilmschool.com/